Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi unite for TN's Mullaperiyar cause

Chennai, Dec 26: With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on an official visit to Tamil Nadu, he met with TN Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi and the main topic of discussion was the raging Mullaperiyar Dam issue. The visit attracted more attention considering that this is the PM's first visit to the state after the AIADMK won the Assembly elections.

Jaya met with the PM on Sunday and submitted a memorandum on the Mullaperiyar row that mentioned a host of demands. Prominent among them being deploying CISF forces at the dam site and also used the opportunity to highlight to the PM that the Kerala side was engaged in "calculated fear mongering" that has led to attacks on Tamil Nadu people and their properties. She also sought the PM to advise the Kerala govt to abide by the 2006 Supreme Court order allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the water level initially from 136 ft to 142 ft.

Jayalalithaa added, "The retrofitted Mullaperiyar Dam is safe and functioning well." She also said that Kerala should cooperate with Tamil Nadu and carry our dam strengthening work suggested by the Central Water Commission and also the routine maintenance works.

Karunanidhi's meet with the Prime Minister also focused on the Mullaperiyar issue. The meet was attended by Kanimozhi as well. He also submitted a memorandum and alleged misinformation by Kerala over the safety of the dam.

Meanwhile, the DMDK plans to stage a black flag protest against the Prime Minister, alleging the Centre's bias against Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar dam.

While in Chennai, the PM will inaugurate the Ramanujam Block at the Madras University hall.